Outgoing Consul General of Turkey, Fateni Etem, has assured business community that he will apprise his government about the concern of Pakistan on its export vis-à-vis the issue of 18 percent additional customs duty to be charged on import of denim fabric from Pakistan.
Addressing members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday, he noted that two-way trade has witnessed increase in last three years and it jumped from 600 million dollars to one billion dollars. He expressed hope that it will be further increased in near future and expected to cross two billion dollars as envisaged during a meeting of both the countries.
He advised Pakistani businessmen to visit Turkey to develop person-to-person relations with Turkish business community which will help boost two-way trade. He was of the view that Pakistan must promote its tourism to attract foreign tourists that will help Pakistan generate sufficient foreign exchange. Pakistan has excellent tourists' spots, he added
He also advised business community to work for improving Pakistan's image abroad. Referring to visa issues, he pointed out that Turkey issued 7,000 visas last year and this year the figure is likely to surpass. Leader of Businessmen Group (BMG) and former President of KCCI, Siraj Kassim Teli, said that both the countries are tied with deep-rooted, longstanding and time-tested friendship.
President KCCI, Mohammad Saeed Shafiq, pointed out Turkish decision to levy additional 18 percent customs duty to be charged on import of denim fabric from Pakistan making total duty 24.5 percent and it will be affected from July 24, 2011. He said it is major blow to Pakistani exporters and added that Pakistan is already suffering due to war against terrorism facing increasing unemployment problem. He sought his help and emphasised that he should brief his government about the concern of Pakistani exports and convince them to resolve this issue on priority bases.